Natasha J. Caplen

British-American geneticist

Natasha J. Caplen is a prominent British-American geneticist known for her pioneering work in the field of RNA interference (RNAi) and its application in cancer research. She is currently a senior investigator at the National Cancer Institute (NCI), where she leads the Gene Silencing Section within the Center for Cancer Research.

Early life and education

Natasha J. Caplen was born in the United Kingdom. She pursued her undergraduate studies in biochemistry at the University of Bath, where she developed a strong foundation in molecular biology. Caplen continued her education by obtaining a Ph.D. in molecular genetics from the University of London. Her doctoral research focused on the genetic mechanisms underlying cystic fibrosis, a condition that piqued her interest in genetic disorders and therapeutic interventions.

Career

Postdoctoral research

After completing her Ph.D., Caplen moved to the United States to undertake postdoctoral research at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). During this time, she worked on developing novel methods for gene therapy, which laid the groundwork for her future contributions to RNAi technology.

RNA interference and cancer research

Natasha J. Caplen

Caplen is widely recognized for her early contributions to the field of RNA interference. In the late 1990s, she was part of the team that demonstrated the potential of RNAi as a tool for gene silencing in mammalian cells. This breakthrough provided a new method for studying gene function and opened up possibilities for therapeutic applications in cancer and other diseases.

At the NCI, Caplen's research focuses on using RNAi to identify and validate new targets for cancer therapy. Her work involves high-throughput screening techniques to discover genes that, when silenced, can inhibit cancer cell growth or sensitize tumors to existing treatments. This approach has led to the identification of several promising targets for drug development.

Leadership and collaborations

Caplen has been instrumental in fostering collaborations between the NCI and other research institutions. She has served on numerous scientific advisory boards and committees, contributing her expertise to the broader scientific community. Her leadership in the field of RNAi has been recognized through various awards and honors.

Research impact

Caplen's research has had a significant impact on the understanding and treatment of cancer. By leveraging RNAi technology, her work has provided insights into the genetic basis of cancer and identified novel therapeutic targets. Her contributions have advanced the development of precision medicine approaches, where treatments are tailored to the genetic profile of individual tumors.

Related pages

• RNA interference
• Gene therapy
• Cancer research
• National Cancer Institute